My workout clothes stink! Help!

bebeisfit

I launder my workout clothes pretty often - usually the same day I wear them. And no I don't use them for more than one workout. But they really stink. Once I start sweating, I have some serious body odor. I do morning workouts, so taking a shower first seems silly, but I have done it.

I know I should replace some of my clothes, but money is tight and my bras are $58 each. I've added a little bit of white vinegar to the wash cycle, but haven''t noticed a difference. I've purchased a bottle of tide that says it takes out the stink (I don't know the real name), but it seems to have a perfumey smell.

Any tips?

TavistockToad

whats wrong with a perfumey smell?

i was my workout gear ona delicate cycle with non bio washing powder and that always gets the sweat out?

jemhh

Add white vinegar to your wash water.

cessi0909

You can wash them in vinegar/water instead of laundry soap. I have added about a cup of vinegar and at times some baking soda to get smells out of clothes. Do not add soap if you do this.
You then may want to air dry, outside if you can.

Savagedistraction

borax

cessi0909

This article has some good tips too: http://www.mensfitness.com/styleandgrooming/fashion/get-the-smell-of-rotting-death-out-of-your-gym-clothes

ew_david

I use Borax and vinegar in my laundry. Works like a charm.

onawho

After peeling off my workout gear, I pop them in a bucket (gallon bucket) with warm water and a cup of vinegar. There they will sit until I wash them, usually the same day.

I have used borax (it works) with the laundry soap and we always air dry the clothes.

Machka9

Borax.

Joanna2012B

vinegar and borax

__TMac__

I put a 1/2c of white vinegar into every load I wash, with the detergent. Nothing ever smells any more.

phildog50

Do you have well water or a crappy washing machine? I add OxyClean

fruitydelicious

I also suggest soaking, borax and arm & hammer washing soda (different from baking soda.) I'd imagine vinegar would help to, but hesitant to recommend in washer. I recently read front loaders seals can be damaged my vinegar...... I wouldn't use the perfume-y stuff either!! talk about instant migraine!!

jenilla1

My husband had that problem until we started adding borax to the wash. No stink now. None. Try it.

Indygirl_81

White Vinegar to laundry.... makes your clothes softer too.

3dogsrunning

I had this problem. I solved it a few ways

1. Let the clothes dry after workout if you don't wash them right away. Balling them up in the clothes hamper or gym bag keeps them damp longer. More bacteria = more smell.
2. A lot of people think more detergent cleans better. Apparently, too much will give bacteria a breeding ground. Use a small amount of detergent.
3. As other have mentioned, add white vinegar to your wash. If you have clothes that smell now, soak them for a bit in the washer with some vinegar and then wash. This even worked on my worst sneakers.

BrianSharpe

I toss a half cup of baking soda in the wash when I'm doing my gross workout clothes, does a great job of getting rid of that ammonia stink.

tiny_clanger

Are you drinking enough water, stinky sweat can be a sign of chronic dehydration...

bebeisfit

TavistockToad wrote: »

whats wrong with a perfumey smell?

I'm not a fan of perfume, and most of the products I buy are scent free. Plus it gives me a headache and when I'm working out, it's the last thing I want to smell. I have moved to the other side of the gym because someone was wearing cologne/perfume.

bebeisfit

tiny_clanger wrote: »

Are you drinking enough water, stinky sweat can be a sign of chronic dehydration...

Hmmm, interesting. I'm pretty sporadic with my hydration - I probably get an average of 6 glasses in winter, more in summer. Yet another reason to drink up - thanks for the tip!

bebeisfit

Thanks for all the tips everyone. I have some borax and vinegar is on my grocery list. I'll give it a try. I also like the bucket idea.

JenHuedy

Make sure you are using a very small amount of detergent - the residue can cling to the fibers and absorb odors. I also use baking soda or borax in the wash and use the "allergy rinse" option to make sure any detergent residue is rinsed out. Never use fabric softener.

I've tried vinegar, and not only did it not remove sweat odors, but it made my clothes smell like pickles, even with a double rinse.

dewd2

Wash workout clothes with a detergent like WIN (or similar that is made for this purpose). Never use fabric softener (or dryer sheets). Line dry if possible.

Clothes that wick sweat from your body can hold smells if the material gets clogged up with detergent/softener. Heat from the dryer is hard on it as well.

I found that once it starts to stink there's not much you can do.

girlinahat

this recent study might help explain it

Rebecca0224

My boyfriends work out clothes stink so bad they have made me vomit. I add baking soda to every load of his workout clothes and it really helps.

lorrpb

Are the clothes made of cotton or a performance fabric like drifit? Performance fabrics absorb less sweat & less odor. You can find lots of high quality workout clothes cheap at Goodwill.

CafeRacer808

I hear apple cider vinegar works.

deputy_randolph

I tried vinegar first, but I couldn't get it to work for me. Once a month, I toss gym clothes in washer with hot water and oxy clean...soak for a few hours, drain and wash normally.

ritzvin

Febreze spray in a travel bottle. Spray the hell out of them before putting in the bag.

MsAmandaNJ

I started adding OxyClean to each load, seems to have taken care of the stink.

Before, they'd smell clean until I started heating up and sweating...then I'd get a nasty whiff.

MostlyWater

If you've put them in the dryer, you don't have much hope.